Produced and presented by talented volunteer Grace Bowman, Coming of Age of a Cowgirl highlights three perspectives of girls becoming young women on the cattle stations of Northern Australia.
In this podcast special, we hear from three young women from different backgrounds talk about the life lessons learnt, challenges endured and freedoms felt from their gap years working on cattle stations in northern Australia:
Ella
Growing up on a cattle property 30 minutes outside Toowomba, Ella Baines was always drawn to horses, cattle work, and a whole lot of fun. Having known Ella since high school, Grace has watched her develop into a strong, confident, capable young woman with a tough shell but soft core.
Anna
Anna was born and raised on her ever-green cattle and sheep property, north of Armidale in locality called Black Mountain. Naturally, a shy girl, Anna's up-north experience taught her to have the courage to step outside her comfort zone, something she will take into all aspects of her life.
Eilish
With one foot in the city and one foot in the country for most of her childhood, Eilish always longed to be part of the "country" scene. When she overcame her imposter syndrome she decided to venture out west to Clonclurry where her limits were tested and she was faced with the realities of the "unromanticised" bush life.
What is TuneFM?
TuneFM is the University of New England’s campus radio station, a high power open narrowcasting service operated by UNESA (UNE’s Student Association). With a forty plus year history, the station is Australia’s oldest university broadcaster, serving UNE’s students, staff, and the broader Armidale community.
All music used in this podcast is covered under TuneFM's APRA AMCOS Online Music Licence.
TuneFm has a long history of music, politics and activism – stemming from our radical start back in April 1970. 2UNE came into being as a result of a growing dissatisfaction with a sleepy Liberal Government during the swinging 60s. With the backing of Sir Zelman Cowan, the then Vice-Chancellor, the UNE Radio Committee pushed for a licence to broadcast across the campus.
Finally they were successful, and put together a studio in the Milton building. Then on that fateful day, April 27th 1970, Dick Mutton muttered the words “Radio UNE, the time is 7 o’clock”.